71/4" Gauge Society Junior Day at WMES

Advance notice listed ten juniors wishing to attend the day. With families and friends the total number of people on site was thirty two. Everyone arrived before the 10.30 start time.

Proceedings commenced with a welcome to everyone.

Bronze certificates were presented to Lance and Owen Jones, who received applause from everyone. Ben Williams had already received his award a few weeks earlier.

A walk around the main features of the railway enabled all juniors to see and hear about some of the features over which they would be driving, such as the 1 in 60 gradients and the need to be able to stop at the only signal we have!

It wasn't long before the juniors were driving the society's two Roanoke's around, 'Royden' and 'Little Cliffy'. These were the ideal way to gain experience of the track and the manoeuvres required in the station. It was pointed out to all drivers that those not stopping on the turntable and hitting the wall would have to buy everyone a bottle of refreshment. This had the desired effect!

The two Tinkerbell type steam locomotives 'Let's Rumble' and 'Peter George' were soon in steam and, using our two wagons, adults were able to supervise the operation of the steamers around the track. All this activity brought us to lunchtime when everyone went to our premises for lunch.

It was surprising how quickly our juniors devoured the meal and were ready to drive again. We all adjourned to the large meadow where all the juniors had the opportunity to drive both the steam locomotives. Obviously with the youngest we had to operate some of the controls for them but all the others soon got to grips with the requirements. Following all this activity we went back to the station and the juniors spent the rest of the day driving everything that moved.